1690. colour. Divers curious figures are painted on the inside, and they serve as an Amusement to the Court of the Dairi, or Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperor, who play with them after the following manner. Large heaps are thrown on the ground, and every one of the Company having taken his Portion, he wins, that can shew the most pairs. Every pair hath proper hooks, by the means of which they are easily known, and brought together, tho' never so much mix'd. The best are gather'd, and in 1690. greatest plenty upon the Coasts of Quano. Sidsimi is a Sidsimi. small bivalve not unlike the Famaguri, but thinner, and is found sticking in mud. Katsi or Utsikaki, are Oysters. Katsi. The Oysters found about Japan are deformed, rough, 螺 Jasai. FIG. 71. Sasai, a large, thick, odoriferous turbinated univalve. stony, growing together, and to rocks. There are chiefly two sorts, one remarkably large, the other smaller. The best and largest are found in great plenty in the Gulf of Kamakura. Kisa, or Akagai is also a bivalve, white with- Kisa. out, with deep furrows running as it were parallel to each other, within of a reddish colour. (Fig. 69.) They fix a Te. Cowers. 1690. handle to this shell, and use it in the kitchen instead of a Nakatagai. spoon, or pail. Nakatagai is a large, ugly, roundish, striated and black shell. Asari, is a small thin shell, grey or ash colour'd. Te or Matee, (Fig. 69.) is an oblong thin bivalve gaping at both ends. The Animal that lives Umi Fake. within it, is reckoned very delicious. Umi Fake is another bivalve much of the same kind, about a span long, and so big, that one can scarce grasp it between the thumb and fore-finger. Its flesh is pickel'd and kept for use. This shell is found only upon the Coasts of Tsikungo, where by express order of the Prince of that Country it is forbid to fish them, till a sufficient quantity Takaragai, hath been provided for the Emperor's own Table. Takaragai call'd in the Indies Cowers, are brought from the Maldive and other Islands, and imported into Bengala, Pegu, and Siam, where they go for current Money. Those found about Japan are of different sorts. (Fig. 70.) The best are brought from the Riuku Islands, and are the chief ingredient of their white Cheek varnish. Sasai (Fig.71.) is a large, thick, odoriferous, turbinated univalve, white and prickled. Its mouth is shut close, with a flat, thick covering, or operculum, of a stony substance, rough, on the outside not unlike the Lapis Judaicus, only sharper and smooth. Nisi is an Univalve much of the same shape, but larger, and hath not near so good a flesh. Both can fasten themselves very close to rocks, and the bottom of the Sea, like the Awabi. Common People make use of the shell instead of Pots to spit in. Tannisi are the common black Land Snails gather'd for Food in muddy Rice Fields. They have their mouth shut with an oblong, almost stony operculum. Bai is a Snail in a common oblong, turbinated white shell. Ras or Mina is another of the same kind, but black and smaller. Both are gather'd on the shore in low water. Kabuto is a small, oval, not turbinated univalve. Another small turbinated univalve is call'd Sugai. Sasai. Nisi. Tannisi. Bai. Ras. Kabuto. Sugai. The History of Japan BOOK II. Of the Political State of Japan Chap. I. Names of the Gods, Demi-Gods and Emperors, who are mention'd in the Japanese Histories, as the first Monarchs and Governors of that Empire. He better to understand the opinion of the Epocha's of the Japanese about the original state of their Japonese. Country (which formerly they look'd upon as the only inhabited part of the earth,) and the succession of their Emperors and Monarchs down to this present time, I have thought fit to divide the History and Chronology of this Empire, into three Era's, a fabulous, a doubtful, and a certain. The first and fabulous Epocha of the Japanese Govern- The first and ment reaches far beyond the time of the Creation, as fix'd fabulous Aera. in Sacred writs. Japan, they say, was during that period of time, govern'd by a succession (or rather evolution) of seven Celestial Spirits or Gods, which are by them call'd Succession of Ten Dsin Sitzi Dai, that is, the seven great Celestial Seven Spirits. 1690. Second Succes- Osiwo Ni. Ni ni ki. Spirits, each of which reign'd an immense, but undetermin'd number of years. The History of the Japanese Gods is full of strange wonderful adventures, and great bloody Wars, which are said to have happen'd in this first Age of the Japanese World. The two Chronological Authors, whom I have follow'd in writing this History, barely mention their Names, as also, that the three first were not married, but that their four Successors had each his Wife, as a Companion of his Government, whose names are likewise set down. Of this first Succession of Gods, I have had already occasion to speak more amply in the seventh Chapter of the first Book, wherein I treated of the origin of the Japanese Nation according to the opinion of the Natives. I must therefore refer the Reader to that Chapter, and beg leave here to repeat, that the last of this first Succession, Isanagi Mikotto, having carnally known his Wife and Goddess Isanami Mikotto, begot a second race of Demi-Gods or God-men, who succeeded the first in the Government of Japan, and being five in number are thence call'd Dsi Sin Go Dai, that is, the five great Terrestrial Gods, or Monarchs. They reign'd in the following order. 1. Ten Se O Dai Sin, eldest son and heir of Isanagi Mikotto, for whose memory, and that of his brethren and posterity, the Japanese still profess a most profound respect and veneration. He is said to have reign'd 250000 years. China, they say, was during his reign govern'd by Ten Kwo Si, to whom they also attribute a long and fabulous Government, and further mention, that three descendants of his Family successively rul'd the Empire of China. 2. Osiwo Ni no Mikotto, liv'd and reign'd in all 300000 years. During his reign, and during the reign of his Successor, to the beginning of that of the fourth Japanese Dsi Sin, Sat Teiki govern'd the Empire of China. Ni ni ki no Mikotto reign'd 318533 years. During his whole Reign Sattei Ki was Emperor of China. |